On March 13, 2024, MOHAN Foundation was invited to a one-day awareness programme held at Khongnangthaba University, Khurai, Manipur. The programme was named “Strengthening Organ Donation and Transplant Process." It was conducted under the Government of India’s initiative, “Ayushman Bhava.”

The programme was chaired by the distinguished Dr. Aribam Guneshwar Sharma, Dean & Director, Khongnangthaba University; Ms. Laishram Monica Devi, Programme Officer; and Ms. Thoidingjam Udayini Khuman, Transplant Coordinator of MOHAN Foundation were the invited experts. The administrative staff and faculties of the university were the core participants in the programme.

The organising committee felicitated the chairman and speakers of the programme. In the keynote address given by Dr. Sharma, he expressed gratitude to Ms. Monica and Ms. Udayini for taking the time to attend the function. “Organ donation is a noble act that can transform lives. Through initiatives like these, we aim to dispel misconceptions and encourage more people to pledge their organs, ultimately saving lives and promoting a culture of compassion and altruism," he added.

Ms. Monica led the first session by introducing the MOHAN Foundation and its objectives and visions. Then she focused on the following points in detail:

• Kidney transplantation programme in Manipur.

• Challenges faced by patients who do not have a donor.

• The organ transplant waiting list and the issues of organ trading in India.

• Simplify brain death and the legal pathway.

• Cases of deceased organ donations in Manipur.

• Corneal transplantation and Manipur State Eye Bank.

Later, Ms. Udayini continued the session and shed light on various aspects

• Law enacting the transplant programme.

• Types of organ donation.

• NOTTO’s registry and wait list.

• Importance of the family’s consent in the process of organ donation.

• Process of pledging for organ donation on the National Organs and Tissue Transplant Organisation’s (NOTTO) website.

Following which, an interactive session was held where both the speakers and the participants contributed to the discussion and clarified doubts raised by the participants. At the end of the session, the participants expressed heartfelt thanks to the MF team for addressing the critical issue of organ shortages in the country and particularly in the state. The management consented to the continuation of the awareness campaign involving university students.

Close to 40 participants attended the session